Crescent-chested Puffbird Malacoptila striata Scientific name definitions

The Crescent-chested Puffbird is in many ways a typical member of the genus Malacoptila, being predominantly brown, appearing extensively streaked over the head and the upperparts, with a white upper-breast crescent, bordered below by black. Two subspecies are recognized with widely disjunct ranges, although both are endemic to Brazil. The nominate subspecies, which is larger bodied, occurs in the Atlantic Forest, between southern Bahia and Santa Catarina, with M. s. minor in extreme northeast Brazil, in northern Maranhão. Its altitudinal range reaches from sea level to at least 2100 m. This puffbird prefers the interior of humid forest and tall second growth, although it is often found close to roads and clearings. It usually keeps low, and has even been observed taking insect prey fleeing an army ant swarm.